The Best Robot Hoover
The most effective robot hoover will mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and it will leave your floors clean. Its affordable price and high-end functions (such as a dirt detectors) are a plus.
Examine your robot's brush frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them if needed. Some models also self-empty their onboard dustbin into a larger one at the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro and its sibling, the pricier Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've test. They feature motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other iRobots with premium features (including the top model), they use intelligent mapping to design precise floor plans and eliminate household obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also feature a feature called Carpet Boost that increases its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests on floors that were bare They are also adept in cleaning hair from dogs. However, they do have several flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. For one, the Q5's navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacle avoidance which means it's susceptible to become entangled in shoes and socks and can't navigate tight spaces very efficiently in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera to see around corners.
It's still a good value particularly if your home or office has a lot of bare floors and you're looking to save some money. It's also extremely quiet and can be used while you're at work or school. The only thing it lacks that you can't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on very well and can't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 has a self-emptying cradle however. And, if you need to, you can switch the mopping pad to dry ones in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba X30
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into a sleek, compact package. Its nimble navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it quick to clean and efficient in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also comes with an impressive suction system and a self-emptying bin. It's the best robotic hoover for carpets but it isn't as effective as some of its competitors when it comes to deep cleaning.
automatic vacuum and mop utilizes advanced sensors to dodge obstacles and pet waste and it learns your home's layout over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. The app lets you customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average in comparison to similar models.
If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to take off and extend its mop. This can help avoid cross contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach beneath furniture that is low and along baseboards. It doesn't offer the same washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Professional+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
During tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop in the market to clean an entire home, and it did so with 66 percent of its battery left. It did a good cleaning job on a variety of flooring and rooms with different flooring types including some area rug. Its obstacle detection was superb and it stayed clear of fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles of cables.
It's a little more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but offers superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after it vacuums this feature, which we've not seen on other robot vacuum/mop combinations.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With a sleek, circular design that looks more like a normal Roomba than the competition's boxes This mop and robot vacuum is one of the most attractive designs in our tests. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also among its most advanced. It features advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company's robot that can wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).
It's the only robotic vacuum/mop that has an exemplary 10/10 in our evaluations thanks to a blend of high-tech sensors, which include cameras, a structured lighting system, and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could fill and empty its basestation autonomously. It also boasted an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mops.
Like other iRobot models, the X40 is user-friendly, with a simple mobile app interface, and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The only issue is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This can be a concern in the mornings before work, or during the night when you are trying to sleep.
It's also a bit expensive, but not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally powerful and more attractive. It's a dual-purpose vacuum that's very capable however it's going to cost you more and create more noise.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with many advanced features that will let you get rid of your chores. Similar to Ecovacs range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that takes charge of both mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multi-function dock that automatically emptys the vacuum's dustbin, refills its water tank, and washes and dry the mop pads.
The smart robot employs a combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out floor plans and identify obstacles, making it more efficient than its more expensive competitors. It also has a camera mounted on the front to detect hazards in real-time but this was not 100% foolproof during our tests and was often confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Its vacuum cleaner has an maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the amount of time the vacuum works and also adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home according to how dirty they are.
For bigger homes it's worth looking for a model with zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to instruct the robot to clean one particular area of your house via the app or via voice commands. If you have a lot of furniture, a stair-mode is also useful. Finally, a recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to take over exactly where it left off is great for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you'd expect from its price tag. It does a stellar job vacuuming, picking up 55% of debris in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using only one pad and a reciprocating motion that is more efficient than most mop cleaners for robots that we've tested. It's also self-sufficient with a full-featured app and a self-emptying base that can be washed.
The iRobot app is designed to guide you through an exercise in mapping that collects data on your floorplan as well as any "no go" areas that you have marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, or to create the spot-cleaning. It can also be used to it to prioritize the most soiled areas to improve performance. The app has a range of options, including seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.
It is also able to reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a powerful 8000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for pet hair. You can also create a spot-cleaner that will thoroughly clean the area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek, cheaper alternative to iRobot Roomba. It is more appealing in its design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like adorable eyes. It is great at vacuuming, however it is more likely to get stuck on low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums that we've test. It also comes with an app that's not as intuitive, and a smaller base station that does not double as a bin for emptying.